5 Reasons You’re Healthier in Summer—and 3 Reasons You’re Not

5 Reasons You’re Healthier in Summer—and 3 Reasons You’re Not

You’re happier!

Want something to smile about? That sluggish, sad, just-want-to-stay-in-bed-and hibernate funk we get into during winter lessens. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada found that during spring and summer, study subjects had higher levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin than they did in fall and winter, which could mean a better mood overall.

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Hotter temperatures mean more body-conscious motivation.

The pressure to squeeze into a swimsuit could actually be good for you, says Stuart Fischer, M.D., author of The Park Avenue Diet. “Summer is a time where image is unbelievably important to most people because of their visibility,” he says, and that image motivation tends to translate into better diet choices, which improve overall health. Of course, Fischer says he’d rather see people taking care of themselves year-round—but something, he maintains, is better than nothing.

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There’s less flu.

Your hair might hate the humidity in summer, but when it comes to the flu, your body doesn’t. According to an Oregon State University study, there’s a higher incidence of catching the flu in wintertime, when absolute humidity is lower. The lack of water in the air may allow the virus to survive longer, making it easier to transmit. Now if only we could do something about those frizzies.

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But there are more bacterial infections.

But just because flu outbreaks aren’t as common doesn’t mean you should stop washing your hands come Memorial Day. Researchers don’t know the exact reason bacterial infections increase in summer, but they have found that their occurrences can go up 17 percent with every 10-degree climb in seasonal temperature.

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The more time you spend outside, the higher the sunburn risk.

A summer glow might make you feel sexy, but the potential melanoma from lying out for hours? Decidedly unsexy. Stepping out without SPF not only puts you at risk for skin cancer (read SPF Rules Every Woman Should Know), it can also leave your skin dry and painfully burnt. Even if you don’t see the sun’s effects now, failing to protect your skin can contribute to wrinkles when you’re older. So switch your foundation to one with SPF and use a stronger sunscreen for a day at the beach. Be sure to check out our guide to finding your perfect sunscreen.

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But wait! The sun isn’t all bad.

As long as you’re protecting yourself from UVAs and UVBs, sunshine can actually be healthy. Spending time outside means you’re soaking up vitamin D—a vitamin we need to help prevent certain kinds of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more. So go ahead, catch some rays. They’re good for you!

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More fresh produce options are available.

Warmer weather means more fresh produce to choose from, which helps us have healthier eating habits. Indulge that sweet tooth by getting your sugar fix from fresh in-season fruit like kiwis, plums and berries. Looking for more seasonal foods? Read our guide to the best summer foods for weight loss.

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There’s more calorie temptation.

Despite all that good-for-you produce, if you’re looking to lose weight, summer might as well be called the Temptation Season. Think about all those holidays, spontaneous barbecues and block parties (and don’t get us started on the number of weddings/cake-eating opportunities…). Our tip for keeping off the pounds? Always offer to bring a veggie platter to the BBQ and replace the creamy dip with low-calorie salad dressing.